Over the Counter vs. Fitted Snoring Mouthguards

If you have talked to your doctor or dentist about having a snoring mouthpiece fitted and have also looked at the selection available over-the-counter, then you know there is a tremendous price difference between the two.

If you have never used one before, they may all look the same to you. After going through this comparison, you should be able to better understand the similarities and differences as well as pros and cons.

Assessing the Fit

The fit is one of the most significant differences among an over-the-counter and professionally-fitted appliance. Most stores acquired varieties employ a boil-and-bite technique that you perform right at home. This is a simple method that does not take so much time to perform on a daily basis.

It requires boiling water and then submerging the device for a specified amount of time to soften the plastic. You embed it in your mouth when it cools to a soft temperature, and bite while elongating your jaw forward. The result is a mouthpiece that is well fitting to your mouth.

There are exceptions to this, though. The manufacturers of these devices send you a dental impression kit. You return it to them and your stop snoring mouthpiece is made in a laboratory, and then sent back to you.

Professionally-fitted prevents snoring. Mouth guards sometimes use the boil-and-bite technique too. However, in most scenarios, the dentist takes a mold impression of your mouth using dental trays. These are sent to a lab and delivered to the dentist. When you pick your device up, the oral appliance is inspected for a proper fit. Sometimes, further adjustments are needed.

Adjustability

If you are unfamiliar with these appliances, you may be asking yourself what you would be adjusting in the first place.

To make it simple, having the power to make small cumulative adjustments enables you to advance your lower jaw even further. Even a pair of millimeters can make an enormous difference in whether your airway remains entirely clear or not.

Average Durability

A prescription mouth appliance will have a longer life expectancy than a store purchased model. Over-the-counter mouthpieces have a life expectancy of 3 to 24 months. Professionally-fitted ones can serve as long as five years, but most are recommended to be supplanted every two years.

In both cases, endurance is often directed by a couple of circumstances. First, a product worn during night time will need to be replaced sooner than one worn now and then. Teeth grinding will also play a huge role in durability.

The Expense

As mentioned before, professionally-fitted devices are more expensive. You may be stunned at how different the costs are. An over-the-counter oral device will run between $35 and $200.

If you have one professionally-fitted, the first consultation and evaluation will typically run between $300 to $500. Plus, the device will cost around $1,200 and $2,000. It should be noted that some insurance may help to offset these costs, but this will depend on your coverage and deductible.